The Maher stable will take a two-pronged approach at Moonee Valley on Saturday, with promising fillies Cherish Me and Exit both stepping out as part of their build towards the spring’s Thousand Guineas (1600m).

Cherish Me tackles the 1200m Drummond Golf Plate first-up, while Exit contests the 1523m Manhari Handicap later in the card. Both fillies have only three starts to their name but are held in high regard by Maher and assistant trainer Jack Turnbull.

Cherish Me was last seen in the Blue Diamond in February and returned with a sixth placing at Caulfield in July. Blinkers have since been added, and her Cranbourne jumpout win suggested improvement. “She was just OK first-up, she travelled in patches and did a lot wrong, so she’s had a jumpout with blinkers and went very good,” Turnbull said. “We think she’s a Thousand Guineas prospect. She probably goes to the Jim Moloney (Stakes) after Saturday, win lose or draw, and then you moulding her into that seven to eight-furlong type of horse.”

The $175,000 Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 20 is being targeted as her stepping-stone.

Exit, who finished runner-up at Flemington last start as favourite, will appreciate the step up in trip, according to Turnbull. “She just needs that little bit of extra distance now, but finds a winnable race again,” he said. “I still think she’s got a lot of class. I don’t think she would lose any admirers (from last start), I certainly haven’t, and I expect her to run well again Saturday.”

Mark Zahra retains the ride on Exit, while Tom Stockdale partners Cherish Me, with both fillies well in the market for their Valley assignments.